William Least Heat-Moon is best known for his Blue Highways, in which he went in search of America by driving lesser-known routes that circled it. In this, his followup, he cross-folded a map of the lower 48 states and landed in Chase County, Kansas. He spent six years there, talking with its people, walking the land, and exploring its flora and fauna, its history good and bad, its geography and geology.
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The book is divided up by the twelve ordinance maps that define this nearly-rectangular county. His writing style varies from interviews to extensive quotes on relevant topics, to amazing poetry documenting the lives of the coyotes and prairie chickens. He talks about many things, including floods, prairie fires, murders, race relations, feminism, the building of the railroad, the changing face of agriculture, and the plane crash that killed football legend Knute Rockne. He talks to farm kids who see little future there. Poignantly, he also covers the fate of the Kansa (Kaw) people, their history, downfall, deportation, near-extermination, and diluted revival.
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Although perhaps a little dated now, PrairyErth is recommended reading for anyone seeking an appreciation of prairie ecosystems. It's also a demonstration of "deep ecology", exemplifying to those who seek to deepen their connection to the earth, to learn everything they can about their little corner of it.
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My rating: Five pentacles out of five.
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